Alan M. Perlman, PhD's Reviews

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About Alan M. Perlman, PhD

Like other forensic linguists, I apply the principles and methods of linguistics to the language of legal proceedings and documents.

I have a PhD in linguistics and more than 20 years of experience as an expert in forensic linguistics and the systematic analysis of language it requires. My expertise represents a unique combination: a deep theoretical understanding of the workings of language…together with extensive experience in the application of linguistic principles to the analysis of language samples in order to assist attorneys, other legal professionals, law enforcement personnel, and others in understanding the linguistic issues that bear upon particular cases.

I am a highly competent forensic expert witness who produces expert witness reports, depositions, and testimony that conform to the Daubert criteria and are legally and logically rigorous, as well as easily intelligible to both laymen and legal professionals.

LINGUISTIC FORENSICS: AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Contracts, wills, or other binding documents: I analyze specific words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and other units, including the entire document, to offer informed judgments on clarity, comprehensibility, and (un)ambiguity.

Case example: A man suffered damages from defective rental equipment; he did not know that he had released the company from liability by signing a contract that was, in my judgment, too complex to understand.

• Authorship: I conduct analysis of a language sample-the grammar, lexicon, and other features – to offer an informed judgment of texts, in order to offer informed judgment on the authorship of anonymous, forged, or otherwise disputed documents.

Case examples: anonymous letters of complaint to a company’s Board; forged letters (by a single author) in employment dispute.

• Plagiarism: I examine texts to determine the likelihood of plagiarism.

Case example: The creator of an online course found it stolen and being offered by someone else. I helped substantiate his charges.

• Copyright/trademark: I help attorneys define the semantic points at issue, and he offers informed judgment on the genericity, specificity, and/or protectability of contested material. I also assess the similarity of names/marks to offer informed judgments in infringement litigation.

Case example: I demonstrated that another marketer’s brand name was, on several linguistic levels, similar to that of the attorney’s client.